• SJB points out the necessity for Govt. attention to amend Customs Ordinance

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday (2) questioned the Government’s willingness to address what it called the deep-rooted corruption that has allegedly resulted in the prevailing congestion in the Colombo Port.

Speaking to the media during a media briefing, SJB Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Harsha De Silva said that the crisis at the Colombo Port is not a mere issue of delays in releasing containers, but corruption in the Sri Lanka Customs.

He added that, in a context where the President’s Secretary has over 27 years of experience working in the Customs along with experience in researching corruption in the Customs; while ending corruption was one of the key slogans of the President, the Government’s inability to effectively address the congestion in the Colombo Port is unacceptable.

“Why is the President not talking with these people and resolving this issue? Or, is this a deeper political issue?” Dr. De Silva questioned.

Moreover, the MP claimed that the alleged corruption in the Customs is also contributed to by the Customs Ordinance. Even though attempts were made in the past to amend it, he added, those attempts did not materialise due to opposition from various parties. He opined that if the Government is to eradicate corruption, attention should be paid to this matter as well.